Public Statements

Honoring Women's History Month

Floor Speech

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Every March we commemorate National Women's History Month, a time in which we highlight the many contributions of women who have shaped our great Nation. While we celebrate the tremendous achievements of pioneers who have paved the way, it is important to remember the young girls who need an encouraging environment so that they can grow up to become strong women of character. Education is key to make this happen.

Education is not simply a means to an end but, rather, a vital tool that can help overcome poverty, ignorance, and so much more. However, one in four girls in America does not finish high school, and the dropout rate is even higher for Hispanic teens. Nearly four in ten Hispanic girls will drop out of high school this year. This is alarming.

Mr. Speaker, let's stop this high school dropout rate for all teen girls, and I ask that we renew our commitment to put literacy on our national agenda. Literacy is paramount in the struggle for self-empowerment and education.